December Edition

MHS Mirr r

Mattoon High School

DECEMBER 2012 VOLUME 3 | No. 3

M AT T O O N H I G H S C H O O L MHSMIRROR.ORG

“Striving to reflect the MHS community”

New teachers settle in at MHS

By Kinsey Stapleton, Opinion Editor

As fall transitions to winter, the year at Mattoon High School is finally beginning to fall into routine. Winter break is approaching quickly, and many students are starting to sense a coming relief; however, the feeling of ease isn’t hitting everyone. This year at MHS, 12 new teachers have joined the faculty. Through the overwhelming experience of new curriculum and classes, the new teachers of MHS have had their own adjustments to make, many of which were not expected but were nonetheless worthwhile.

Having been raised in a family of educators, new MHS algebra and geometry teacher Marti Shirley knew this would be her career choice from a young age.

“I helped my dad grade as a kid, and I think I knew then that this is what I always wanted to do,” said Shirley.

Although choosing teaching as a career was a definite decision for Shirley, there were many unexpected challenges that came along with being a new teacher to MHS that she was not expecting.

Having to develop a deeper understanding for her students, for example, Shirley

explained learning their prior backgrounds and upbringing is a task that she faces often.

Though this may seem difficult, Shirley said that learning about her students helps her as a teacher, and by doing so, Shirley feels that she is able to help her students beyond simply learning math.

“The fact that students come in voluntarily, not just to learn math, I think my students feel that they can trust me,” Shirley said.

Just like Shirley, new MHS English teacher Liz Porter also knew this would be her career early on. Because of teachers that Porter had in the past, she wanted to pursue a career that she felt once benefited her.

“I had an excellent experience when I was in high school, and I wanted to share that with future students,” said Porter.

Since graduating from the University of Illinois, Porter makes the commute from Urbana to Mattoon every day. While the drive alone may seem like a demanding task in itself, Porter feels that her age is one of the biggest challenges she faces as a new teacher.

“Because I’m younger, it’s harder for me to be taken

seriously,” Porter said.

Despite the issues of age and commute, Porter enjoys teaching because she is able to help students reach a point of success, what she calls a student’s “breakthrough moment.” At the end of the day, Porter said this is what makes her time at MHS worthwhile.

In contrast to Shirley and Porter, there are teachers at MHS who have been teaching for years and have been able to experience the career and its changes through the decades. Among these teachers is MHS biology and zoology teacher Robert Lockart, who has been teaching for nearly 30 years.

Even though Lockart started teaching in a much different era than Shirley and Porter, Lockart feels that new teachers of today still face the same challenges as he did.

“There’s still the issue of getting students to get their work done, as well as class conduct,” Lockart said.

Having so many years of experience, Lockart said he believes the best advice for new teachers is to uphold their expectations and to not be lenient. Lockart also feels that by explaining their rules well and holding students TEACHERS/ 2

New PARCC assessment set to begin in fall 2014

By Riley Trotter, Design Editor

PHOTO BY K AYLIE HOMANN

Marti Shirley, new algebra and geometry teacher at MHS, sits at her desk, grading papers after school.

Students, teachers react to cannabis laws

By Emma Diltz, Advertising Manager/ Sports Editor

The legalization of cannabis has always been a highly controversial topic, but up until the 2012 election, it was only a thought in the back of most people’s minds. As of Nov. 6, the recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in the states of Colorado and Washington for those 21 years of age or older.

The reactions to this law being approved have varied from person to person. Mattoon High School freshman Griffin Paige was stunned at the passing.

“I was surprised, but I can see it catching on with other states in the future,” said Paige.

Others, such as junior Rhiannon Douglas, were not shocked at all when the news broke.

“I wasn’t surprised because I heard a couple of months ago that Colorado was going to try to get that passed,” said Douglas. “I wasn’t surprised about Washington either because Seattle is there, and it’s a very radical and ‘out there’ city.”

American history teacher Bill Behrends agreed that he wasn’t astounded either.

“States are starting to legalize it to decriminalize, so no, I’m not surprised,” said Behrends.

Legalizing cannabis has been contentious because it is, in fact, still considered an illegal drug at the federal level. Though some are opposed to the changes, others think it isn’t necessarily a bad adjustment.

Junior Ryan McDaniel has an optimistic outlook on the situation.

“I was positive towards the change because of all the illegal drugs, [marijuana] is the least

Legalization of Marijuana CHANGES IN U.S. L AW

Key = Recreational = Medical

INFOGR APHIC BY EMMA DILTZ & RILEY TROT TER

harmful towards the body,” McDaniel said.

“Marijuana is also used for many purposes other than cannabis. There was a need for hemp during World War II because more rope was needed and that’s what it was made from.”

Behrends agreed with McDaniel that legalization could have economic benefits.

“It could be taxed just like cigarettes and alcohol, and that alone could bring in more revenue for states,” said Behrends, although he noted a personal feeling against its use.

District testing change to come

Personal feelings aside, some believe the approval of cannabis could aid in the economic recovery overall for the United States as a whole.

McDaniel said he thinks it could create some intake of revenue, but not nearly as much as needed for the economic crisis the United States is in now.

“It could be a positive effect, but the United States is too far gone for it to be very effective on the uprising of the economy,” McDaniel said.

“It will be put to some use, but it won’t fix $16 LEGALIZATION/2

When students think of testing required by schools, pencil and paper is what often comes to mind. However, in two short years, the law will be requiring a new standardized test for all students in Mattoon schools, one that is computerized.

Starting in the 2014-15 school year, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) will replace the ISAT and PSAE tests.

“The PARCC assessment will be used for the accountability measures for all students and schools in Illinois. That means the scores from PARCC will replace the scores from ISAT and PSAE for state and federal reporting,” said Christy Hild, assistant principal at Williams Elementary School.

According to Hild, tests for grades K-2 will not be counted as a grade, but will be used to show progress.

There are many different reasons for the switch to the PARCC assessment.

The tests will be used to show what students learn along with the new Common Core State Standards used by Illinois since 2010, according to Mattoon Superintendent for Human Resources, David Skocy.

“Illinois is one of 22 other states transitioning to the PARCC assessments in 2014.

We envision this assessment providing students, parents, teachers and administrators with a clearer understanding of students’ progress toward college and career readiness,” said Skocy.

The new assessment is expected to have a large impact on how teachers are able to understand student strengths and weaknesses.

“I think the test will impact students and teachers in a positive way. The goal is for them to look at the results from each test and focus on setting goals for growth,” said Hild. “I imagine conversations between teachers and students regarding areas of strength and weakness PARCC/2

2

THE MHS MIRROR DECEMBER 2012

Page Designer Riley Trotter

Testing

From Page 1 ‘What did you do well on?

Where do you want to focus your effort to improve? What patterns do you notice?’ Following those conversations, I see teachers and students sharing responsibility and working together as a team to continually improve student learning.”

Teachers are also expected to be largely impacted by the new testing.

“I think that the PARCC assessment system will have a positive impact on student learning in that it will assist teachers in their ability to individually focus on each of their student’s learning,” said Skocy.

PARCC is also expected to greatly affect students, who have known

nothing but the PSAE and ISAT. “I believe students will find this type of testing may provide them with more information about where they are in relation to the skills defining readiness for college and careers,” said Tim Condron.

This new assessment is expected to help students in many different ways.

“In terms of student response, I anticipate a new level of student engagement with the tests because the items will be interactive and technology-based. This platform will allow students to respond in a way that will measure their depth of understanding. For example, when asked to answer a selected-response item, students will be required to follow up with evidence from the text that supports their choice,” said Hild. “This will not only eliminate

guessing from the assessments, but it will also demonstrate students’ thought process involved in response. The same will be true in math. Instead of demonstrating an ability to work or apply a formula, student will need to manipulate formulas and demonstrate a depth of understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts.”

Though expectations are high for the PARCC assessment, it isn’t expected for students to automatically adjust to the test.

“I expect there will be a transition period for student and teacher adjustment to the new question types and testing platform,” said Hild.

The new standardized testing is expected to have great effects on MHS. “Overall, I think the new type of testing will improve our teaching and learning,” said Hild.

From One

Sample PARCC Math Question

COURTESY OF PARCC.COM

Teachers From Page 1

accountable, new teachers will have a successful classroom.

“Be consistent no matter who the student is,” said Lockart.

Along with Lockart, MHS junior Harlie Bunyard feels that teachers new to MHS face many challenges on a daily basis.

During her years at MHS, Bunyard has had first year teachers as well as teachers who have been teaching for over ten years. Because for some it’s their first year teaching, Bunyard feels new teachPHOTOS BY K AYLIE HOMANN ers at MHS can be different in the Samantha Albrecht, a new geometry and algebra teacher at MHS, instructs her first-hour classroom compared to experienced teachers. geometry class about triangles.

“They don’t have as much experience dealing with kids,” Bunyard said.

The MHS Mirror

is produced by the students enrolled in the Journalism II and I courses at Mattoon High School.

Kaylie Homann Justin Gordon Emma Diltz

Riley Trotter Molly Dotson Sarah Foster Kinsey Stapleton Paige Jordan Lane Plummer Jarett Martin Amanda Bright

Editor-In-Chief Managing Editor Advertising Manager/ Sports Editor Design Editor Photo Editor/News Editor Features Editor Opinion Editor Entertainment Editor Online Editor Distribution/Promotion Manager Adviser

Mission Statement: We, the staff of the MHS Mirror, strive to be a public forum that evokes individual high-level thinking and sparks conversation in a way that defines high school journalism, while maintaining a high ethical journalistic standard.

The MHS Journalism Program 2521 Walnut Ave. Mattoon, IL 61938 (217) 238-7877 mhsmirror@gmail.com Visit us online! mhsmirror.org

Legalization From Page 1

trillion worth of debt.”

Unlike Behrends and McDaniel, senior John Olmsted does not think the legalization is a law that should be passed.

“I think it’s [wrong],” said Olmsted. “People are going to abuse it.

It’d be a different situation if it was for an actual reason instead of just because.”

Although there could be some side effects from marijuana being legalized, there are always unintended, negative consequences as well.

“There is always the chance of it getting to minors a lot more easily if it is legalized,” said Paige.

Marijuana could also be more harmful physically if used often legally.

“The fact that there is smoke involved could cause a higher risk of lung complications,” Douglas said. “And more people could think it’s OK to get high and then go drive, resulting in more traffic

“It could be a positive effect, but the United States is too far gone for it to be very effective on the uprising of the economy.”

Ryan McDaniel, junior accidents.”

Olmsted also agreed that the passing could result in problems.

“I can see there being a drastic rise in [users],” said Olmsted.

Besides the fact that it could be more harmful physically, there is the argument of morals coming into play.

“There are definitely moral issues,” said Behrends. “Many people still see it as morally wrong since it is a drug, and it makes people think ‘What’s next?’”

Even though only two states have made the change thus far, the question arises which will be next?

Regardless, Bunyard said she knows new teachers are doing their best, despite their at times overwhelming experience.

The abundance of new teachers this year at MHS may seem like more than usual, but the passion and desire to help students is still as strong as it has ever been.

Even though each are new to this building, the challenges each one of them are experiencing have been the same for decades of new teachers. According to teachers, it’s the rewarding experience; however, that inspires them to continue with what they do.

After all, it’s the experiences that new teachers face that Bunyard said is what would make their job worthwhile. “It’s definitely interesting for them, because it’s completely new territory,” said Bunyard.

“On any controversial issue, some states will jump on the bandwagon and be all for it,” said Douglas.

“But then, some will be opposed to it and try to take it to the federal level since it is still illegal under federal law. I can see some states such as California and even Illinois getting it passed as well.”

While the laws have technically passed at the state level, the federal government has still not made an immediate decision on whether or not the recreational usage will be permitted, according to University of California Santa Barbara’s college newspaper.

There is little doubt that the legalization will have consequences.

“Since it is a more benign drug, it should be legalized,” McDaniel said.

With the very real possibility of marijuana becoming a legal recreational drug, it may be time for government officials to take a step back and look at the drugs that should stay illegal.

“The government should start focusing on the more harmful drugs,” McDaniel said.

News

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Page Designer Molly Dotson

3

Health Occ. shows students medical field

By Kinsey Stapleton, Opinion Editor

While in high school, many students begin thinking of what will happen after graduation, whether they will be joining the workforce or attending college.

For many students, there is a drive to begin having experience in their desired work field early on, yet this can be difficult to do while still in high school.

However, Health Occupations, a class for juniors and seniors at Mattoon High School offers just that: an opportunity to learn and gain experience in the medical field while still in high school.

Providing a variety of opportunities for students who are involved, Health Occ. gives students hands-on experience in their medical field of choice.

Students work at many different facilities, including at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and Odd Fellow-Rebekah Nursing Home.

Starting out with lectures and book work first quarter, second and third quarter students are then taken every Tuesday and Thursday into the work field where they can

apply their skills. Fourth quarter, students choose a facility at whcih to spend the last five weeks.

An MHS student who experiences these activities weekly is junior Kylon Weaver, who is currently enrolled in the class. Weaver wanted to take the class because he believed that the class would help him decide his future.

“I just wanted to explore my options, and it gives me 11 college credits, so it’s really helpful,” Weaver said.

Like Weaver, MHS senior Briana Nevius is enrolled in Health Occ. because she wanted to get an insight on the medical field in order to help her future.

According to Nevius, the experience that she has gained in Health Occ. will make an impact on the college that she chooses to attend and what she will major in.

“I have an interest in the medical field, and it gives me an idea if it’s something I want to do,” said Nevius.

Yet, the program is not only for the students envoked but also helps patients recieving care. Seniors Ginny Compton and Allie

Seaman said that knowing they are able to help patients is one of their favorite parts of Health Occ. “One time I was giving an old lady a bath, and she told me it was the best bath she’s ever had,” Compton said.

Also gaining joy from working with the elderly, Seaman had experiences to share as well.

“I was taking a lady out to lunch, and she told us that we were the best people ever for taking care of her, and she was glad she had us,” said Seaman.

Gaining students’ interests because of its benefits, Health Occ. is a class that many MHS students are considering taking.

Although she isn’t involved in the class this year, junior Makayla Burtcheard said she would take the class if she was interested in the medical field, and also thinks the class is helping students at MHS. “It’s good practice for students who want to go into the medical field,” Burtcheard said.

Burtcheard also feels that Health Occ. will not only help students in the future, but is currently helping those who are enrolled in the class as well.

FINDING THEIR CREATIVE SIDE PHOTOS BY MOLLY DOTSON

MHS junior Amanda Juszczak decides on a piece of wheel-thrown pottery to purchase.

The cylinders and bowls were created to be sold at the art show in order to fund and expand material selection within the MHS art program.

Janahn Kolden art teacher and Ty Wickline MHS sophomore count ballots casted by onlookers. The results of this vote were as follows: first place was freshman Mikaela Williams with “The Rookie”, second place was sophomore Alexis Artis with “Cheshire”, and third place was junior Haylie Lading with “Bucky the Horse”.

Student-created art is posted throughout the cafeteria at the winter art show on Dec 4. Several members of the community attended to support these artists by viewing these portraits, buying pottery and voting for their favorite works of art.

PHOTO COURTESY MEGAN WHITE

MHS junior Whitney Shafer decorates red and white cookies that represent blood cells for Health Occupations class.

This class trains students to work in the medical field.

“It gives them insight on the job that they want to do,” said Burtcheard.

With Health Occupations’ many benefits, students who are enrolled in the class know that the lessons they are learning and the work experience that they are receiv-

ing will help them in the long run, even if they are not certain about joining the medical field.

“You can’t just waste your time and money in college on something that you don’t want to do, but [Health Occ.] kinda gets your feet wet,” Nevius said.

Video Productions: Capturing creative thinking with film

By Sarah Foster, Features Editor

The varied selection of clubs and extracurricular activities at Mattoon High School allows students to participate in groups that are geared to making learning experiences more enjoyable.

A new club has been recently added to the list of those offered at MHS, and under the inventiveness of communications teacher Chris Brown, Video Productions has been created.

According to Brown, the idea came from an online search that claimed students could be given scholarship opportunities if they created and submitted videos.

“I wanted to give the [scholarship] opportunity to those kids.

There were several kids interested in video productions but couldn’t fit it in their schedule. I started [the club] to give kids the opportunity to design videos,” said Brown.

Thus the club was established, and it has ignited interest among students, including senior Evan Dodson.

“I joined because drama and utility was a blast, so I thought this would be similar,” said Dodson.

Brown explained the plan of the club is to let students produce and edit their own videos based on their own ideas. Video Productions requires a number of imaginative ideas from students and but also gives them the freedom to exercise their creativity.

“Video Productions is where groups get together and make short films and skits,” described Dodson.

After the launch of the club, Brown said he has several plans for the future of the activity.

“We’ll want to get kids to enter contests for scholarships, and maybe some point, we’ll have a night to show videos to kids and [invite] public to watch,” said Brown.

For further information about the club or how to join, contact Chris Brown. He can be found in room 405 or emailed at browncd@mattoon.k12.il.us All those interested in the club are advised to see Brown if they want to join.

4 News Club appreciates French culture Page Designer Molly Dotson

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Members recognize meaning of ‘French’ ship in organization

By Paige Jordan, Entertainment Editor French Club is a place where students can come together, eat, hang out, have fun and, of course, practice speaking French.

This club has been meeting for about two years at Mattoon High School because MHS French teacher Sarah Burke believes that clubs are important.

Burke said when she was in high school there were always clubs for foreign language classes.

“It’s hard to have a class without a club,” said Burke.

Burke also thinks clubs are im-

PHOTOS COURTESY MHS PHYSICS STUDENTS

Right: Jim Sparks tests the amount of force needed to break bridges with his self-made machine. Below: MHS seniors John Righter, Megan Randolph and Caroline ZuHone discuss engineering strategies.

Bottom left: A collection of trophies and certificates earned by MHS students after competitions is displayed.

Bottom right: MHS senior Gabe Stoll tests his mousetrap car.

portant because it helps students with interacting and meeting new friends.

“I think it’s good for kids to meet kids with the same interest. Kids who wouldn’t hang out outside of class get to do so in the club,” said Burke.

Another interesting aspect about this club is the fact that it meets as the students involved see a need to get together.

“French Club meets whenever the president and vice president decide,” said Burke.

MHS junior Lacey Miller likes participating in French Club and

“I think it’s good for kids to meet kids with the same interests. Kids who wouldn’t hang out outside of class get to do so in the club.”

Sarah Burke, French teacher

has learned new skills in it, too.

“It’s a lot of fun, and you get to learn more about the French culture,” said Miller.

This club involves almost everyone in the class, and according to MHS junior Megan Rardin, this and French parties, known as fetes are key factors for her participation.

“Pretty much all the French students are in it, and this way, we can have fetes as a big group instead of individual classes,” said Rardin.

As the club has progressed, Burke has come up with some

goals for the gathering including “to get more kids into French.”

“I want to make it more than just a class,” said Burke.

Burke wants the class to become more than that because the French community is so small.

“In French, there are six classes with one teacher, and in Spanish there are three teachers with around six or seven classes. It’s important to stick together,” said Burke.

Activities that are for French Club includes a mean girl movie day, and possibly a dodge ball day vs. Spanish Club.

Physics seniors capture trophies

By Lane Plummer, Online Editor From building bridges and tearing them down to mousetrap cars, the 2012 Engineering Design Contest at Marshall High School served as the competitive moment to shine for 19 Mattoon High School seniors on Nov. 15.

Setting a winning image for the competitors were these seniors, who placed first and third place in the event among nine other high schools in the area.

The competition was divided into four segmented games.

The games were based around designing ping pong catapults, constructing a rubber band-powered airplane, sending off mousetrap cars and building bridges out of toothpicks.

MHS chemistry/physics teacher Jim Sparks prepared his team for the large event.

“I built a model of each of the four things and tested them a lot.

The goal was to make one as good as or better than mine,” said Jim Sparks.

At the event, MHS seniors Matt Haeger, Megan Randolph and Gunnar Roling placed first in the ping pong catapult portion of the games.

“It was a reflection of the team.

We were last place in the trial run, so it was quite surprising to place first,” said Roling.

The Mattoon High School’s varsity team placed first in the event, followed by the JV team placing third, and Sparks was pleased with the results.

“They performed really well. I gave them time in class, they were in before school, after school and some took their projects home.

We tested some in the gymnasium. The P.E. teachers were really nice about it,” said Sparks.

It was a standing achievement for the team, and Roling said several moments from the competition were unexpected.

“I thought it [ping pong catapult] was the worst. I thought the airplane was the best, and it ended up doing the worst,” said Roling.

Features

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Page Designer Kaylie Homann

5

Generational differences show similarities

By Sarah Foster, Features Editor Look at the objects nearby. Could they be a cell phone, calculator or iPod? Imagine these objects have disappeared and the year is no longer 2012, but a new introduction to the 20th century. Technology has become a huge aspect of adolescent culture in the 21st century, and it has created many new ways of communication. All the objects that are heavily cherished currently have been transformed – a television set held together by two antennas now can be mounted on a wall, encompassing almost the whole perimeter and only an inch thick.

However many cultural and technological changes may exist, there may not be as much space between the generations as many believe. Even when teenagers cringe at the thought of their technology losing battery power, they are still more similar to their parents, and even grandparents, than they perceive.

EVLYN HORN

munity during the Depression. After the school day was over, most A birthday was recently cele- of her classmates would return brated for Mattoon resident Evlyn home to find a list of chores and Horn, who blew out 95 candles on necessities that needed to be done her cake almost a month ago. for the day.

A reflection on her life as a “There were chickens to feed, teenager takes place late one af- eggs to gather, milk and milking ternoon as she sits in her chair in [to do].” It was even common for her living room, which is marked the whole family to take part in with pictures of her husband and this task, including the mothers, family. who are sometimes regarded as She smiles as she speaks about not participating in hands-on acher past life during her adolescent tivities. years.

The depression was known for It is understood that she dealt its presentation of hard times for with similar concepts and con- families. Because of the depresfrontations as teenagers today. sion, it was important for Horn Horn looks at life positively; she to help the farm as much as posbelieves in a concept that some sible to ensure its stability. Horn seem to push away. There is a believes that “teenagers have it a lot of time in the world, and one lot easier” currently, possibly beshould not spend it doing the ac- cause their teenage years were not tivities that are a struggle. Com- during the depression. However, mon chores or necessities do not Horn’s life during the depression consume her time tremendously wasn’t shaken tremendously. because there is no sense in doing “Kids didn’t realize it was the what makes one unhappy. depression because we weren’t “At my age, you do what you hungry. We had a patch and raised can, and the rest goes. You’ll have our food and didn’t have to go to a chance to do it later on,” she the store,” explained Horn. said.

“We took wheat and brought it With a positive reflection, she to be made into flour. We would begins to explain her time as a make our own clothes. My parents teenager. raised chickens, hogs and cattle.

The small school Horn attend- We butchered our own meat and ed for the first three years of her cured ham.” high school education was HumAs a teenager on the farm, Horn boldt High School. had to watch over her belongings.

“We had three teachers that Crime was a problem as though it taught all different classes. It was is today. “We had chicken thieves a three-year high school. There you had to watch out for,” said were less than 20 kids in the Horn. whole school and only five juniors There are some amenities teengraduated [from Humboldt]. I agers find themselves provided went to Arcola for my fourth year; frequently that Horn hardly knew. it’s the same as now, more mod- The first time Horn went to a resern,” described Horn. taurant and ate, a common privJust as it is today, Horn ex- ilege now, was after she had finpressed that it was uncommon for ished high school. students to drop out; most held “After [I got] married, my husthe goal of finishing high school band and I went out to eat and orclosely to them. Her classroom dered a milkshake. I didn’t know environment, she adhow to order because I’d never been out to eat before,” she said.

Because of the hard times, there were never frequent shopping trips to local malls.

People reused clothing if they couldn’t use it themselves, often giving it away for free.

“There were no rummage sales.

If you outgrew something, you gave it to someone else. If they were a friend, you didn’t think about any money,” said Horn.

With the common technological changes that are taking place in the 21st century, Horn observes the transformation to be different than it is commonly distinguished.

PHOTO “[It’s] not as bad as people COURTESY perceive it to be because you OF MHS RIDDLE keep in touch with people.

This yearbook page was But I don’t like that they can printed in 1935, around the check every detail about evtime Evelyn Horn would have eryone, and I think that’s horrible,” she said. been in, or just graduated Although time and age sepfrom, high school. arates generations, the common goal still exists—as mits, was “alright [with] no prob- though Horn is trying to make it lems.” Disruptions among stu- through life in the best way possidents rarely existed. ble, dozens of others are aiming to Horn grew up in a rural com- do the same.

DEL WILLISON

jority of kids being good kids,” he said.

Del Willison walks the halls of Although alike, there are sevMattoon High School with a smile eral cultural changes that are hapon his face from ear to ear. pening with children and teenagHis occupation, helping new ers in this century because of the teachers throughout the Mattoon technological changes.

School District, is one of his However, this does not starmain ardors in life, as was tle Willison. teaching before retiring.

He looks on with a smile, “I love what I do,” said and a positive outlook, recogWillison. “It gets me up every nizing the good of the oppormorning. My profession chose tunities involved with technolme. I didn’t choose it.” ogy.

Willison pinpoints the rea“I do think technology has son for his profession as his made a huge difference, many childhood. ways good. Students attain inAlthough Willison, being formation so much quicker. many years apart from Horn Kids are much more aware of and Eash, did not experience what is going on in the world,” the differences that existed he said. during the great depression, he Although, since the introducwas still in what many would tion of technology, the task of consider a different era. socialization is made much eas“I grew up in a rural culier with the simple click of a ture. I went to a one-room button, some wariness does exschoolhouse for the first six ist about the changes technolyears of school, and there ogy is making to teenagers of were three kids in my class. this world.

One teacher taught one grade “I do worry about technolofor a period of time, and then gy today isolating us from one [the teacher] switched, and another. I think children would PHOTO COURTESY OF MHS RIDDLE rather talk to an adult or othwe worked on homework,” he According to the 1981 Riddle year- er friend through internet insaid.

Willison was accustomed book, besides teaching English at stead of face to face. You don’t to helping the children in his MHS, Del Willison occupies his time pick up on emotion that rightschool. ful conversation needs [when with working in his yard, washing As a teacher would switch online],” he explained. to another grade, the students cars, making minor house repairs or But with these changes in who weren’t being taught helping friends. society, Willison recognizes a would help the students. similarity throughout the gen“It may have influenced me to tions – exists no matter what day erations he has helped raise. go into education,” he said. of birth or graduating class a per“Majority of students seem With the occupation of a teach- son has. to work very hard. I think about er, front row seats to cultural “Ninety five to 97 percent of classes and see they aren’t much changes have been reserved for kids are really good kids. When different. It took a little nudging him. Willison has worked with kids bump into me in the hall, to get going, but that’s human nachildren for more than 30 years, they’ll say excuse me. I see ma- ture,” he said.

CARRIE EASH Carrie Eash sits in what she recalls as her favorite pink chair, which has been worn to its state of uselessness because of its age. It’s late Sunday afternoon and Eash, at her Shelbyville farm home begins to reminisce on her teenage years.

Eash celebrated her 90th birthday last April with a family surprise party, and because of her age that has led to wisdom, her family recalls her as the guru. She was held accountable for several necessities in her home, often times trying to make success out of difficulty.

However, despite these changes in years, the differentiation between her and the teenagers of today ceases to exist, as several activities and requirements of her life are similar.

Eash, as a teenager, worked on her family’s farm. This acted as her occupation as her family needed several workers.

“I helped in the garden, plowed with horses [we didn’t have] tractors. [I] would help shuck corn by hand,” she said. “I worked outdoors, but we all loved to help with chores.

We milked cows morning and evening.”

There were several needs the teenagers of the past had to accomplish, and families who had a farm to upkeep were constantly chal-

and each time he experiences the differences.

However, despite these changes, kids are more alike than perceived.

One common goal – exceeding high school without complica-

lenged. Several teenagers are placed with the responsibility of maintaining the family farm today. The several notorious, technological changes that exist in the lives of teenagers today have presented changes between the generationally separated children. Eash recalls the only technology that she was able to use hastily was the telephone. Eash recalls that she had to “visit them when [she] wanted to talk to people.”

Some of these technological alterations include the use of cars, as Eash recalls that the amenity wasn’t accessed as easy as it is today. “I had to walk to most places [when] visiting people. I walked to school and across neighbors’ pastures.”

For school, Eash recalls that one teacher taught all of her subjects. A typical day for Eash, she explains that chores were to be finished before going to school, and after the educational period was over, there were more chores to be done. Because of the difficulty of this time period, hard work in all capital letters. Teenagers had to learn to be efficient. Saturdays for Eash were a day of fun.

“In the winter time, we went ice skating and sledding. In the summertime, we played ball and made ice cream with neighbors,” she said.

Other enjoyable activities for Eash include jumping off a bridge

into a creek, picking blackberries by gallon and mushroom hunting.

“We found ways to entertain ourselves,” she said.

Often, these activities deemed as fun to Eash and her family is still cherished by teenagers today. With the experience and knowledge of Willison, Eash and Horn, generations can recognize their similarities and come together. After all, the common goal in life is to be happy and successful, no matter what the time period. All are trying to make it through this life and remain positive throughout all of the complications and events it presents.

According to the Lone Star College library website, in the 1930s: Population: 123,188,000 in 48 states Life Expectancy: Male, 58.1; Female, 61.6 Average salary: $1,368 Unemployment rises to 25% Car Sales: 2,787,400 Food Prices: Milk, 14 cents a qt.; Bread, 9 cents a loaf; Round Steak, 42 cents

6

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Page Designer Sarah Foster

Features

Students and Depression Mattoon teens, staff reflect on difficult disorder that affects many

By Sarah Foster, Features Editor Text message sent, literary analysis finished; the sounds of conversation, pencils scraping on a piece of loose-leaf college-ruled paper. These are a few of the many tasks required of a high school student, and for some at Mattoon High School, the stress of classes, relationships and parents take a toll during this interval of life.

A few outcomes occur from time to time because of stress. One of these severe yet understandable ones is depression, and whether it is clinical or not, all forms require a watchful eye. Students who feel depressed during this period of time are not alone and are not abnormal according to professionals. Being happy is added to the list of to-do’s, often placed below daily homework, which makes coping difficult.

According to MHS counselor Jere Schuler, it isn’t uncommon for students to feel unhappy during the high school years.

“High schoolers have a lot of pressure at school and socially, and we do see a lot of that,” explained Schuler. “We see a lot of students upset about particular issues which bring them down to where they can’t function.”

The frequent requests of this time in life are what senior Megan Schuler, has grown accustomed to.

“High school is full of stressful times and full of emotional changes that everyone goes through at some point, whether in general or relationships,” said Schuler.

Pat Eastin, Williams Elementary School’s social worker, explains that there are more causes than the stress of school work; atmospheric influences and family relationships are part of the equation as well. “[Depression can be caused] due to things going on at home or with peers. Sometimes it can be genetically passed down from parents,” she explained. “In the teen years, kids are influenced by other kids.”

The stress and woes of the high school years make it important for peers, teachers and parents to watch for the warning signs and prevent the feelings from being overwhelming.

“Everyone is different when getting to the point where they aren’t able to function. When things aren’t going as good as they should, grades are dropping, they’re usually thinking of something else,” said Jere Schuler.

Another aspect, one that is vital

PHOTO ILLUSTR ATION BY K AYLIE HOMANN

Anger, unhappiness and remorse are a part of the puzzle for those teenagers battling depression at Mattoon High School, and these emotions affect the physical and mental aspects of life. However, according to both students and counselors, there is hope for an end to the struggle. to the teenage years, is socialization. When some adolescents grow increasingly gloomy, the once bubbly spirit is hardened, which also paves its way into affecting work ethic.

“Socially you won’t be yourself, you won’t be as fun. [Depression] will show in the workplace. After school, students deal with activities that they enjoy, and if students start to wander away, they need to seek help,” added Megan Schuler.

“They may become angry, have social withdrawals, stay at home, loss of appetite or not sleeping.

They could be crying all the time,” said Eastin.

All agree that the problem with adolescents is the difficulty they have seeing the future. Teenagers have the common perception that what is bringing them down will be the end.

“One big thing I focus on [with

teenagers] is to get them to look at what situations are bringing them down, and try to get them to focus on the fact that it’s a small part of their life, that you will get through this. [I] get them to see it’s temporary,” said Jere Schuler.

Looking long term sheds light on a time when the problem that is bringing one down currently will no longer exist.

“I try to get them to focus on school work; it’s not what they want to do, but it gives them more control of their future,” he explained.

However, these aren’t the only remedies. Megan Schuler, Jere Schuler and Eastin agree that the best way to overcome depression is by talking and spending time with trusted adults or friends. It’s difficult, however, and it requires a push to get started.

“Don’t isolate yourself,” recom-

mends Eastin. “Hook up with one of your friends and tell them what’s going on.”

“The best thing would be to find someone you trust and talk to them about it, even if it’s a teacher. They don’t have to be the same age,” explained Megan Schuler. “When you let people know, it’s not necessarily get on top of the lunch table and scream it to the world. Let one person know. Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Jere Schuler explained that an abundance of people who can be confided in are just inches away.

“Sharing feelings is a good thing with whomever you feel comfortable with. They don’t have to seek help from counselors,” he said. “Students would be surprised how helpful teachers can be. They’re willing to go the extra mile and help.”

Students who have their personal team to be there with encouragement are likely to overcome the emotions and feelings they are experiencing. To MHS senior Aaron Jenkins, the sight of a support group is comforting.

“Get involved with a productive group of people who feel the same way as you. People will be there to give advice. Don’t sit at home and wallow in your sadness; it’s the worst thing to do,” he said.

Jere Schuler agrees that involvement in a support group is a great step toward recovery. He also recommends participating in school activities with other students.

“Getting involved in school activities beyond the classroom gives opportunity to get friendships. It makes kids want to be here more,” he said.

For anyone feeling depressed, it can help tremendously to spend time outside of the home with activities that can contribute to a happy mood.

“Stay involved in activities, don’t be withdrawn. Do things outside of the home,” said Eastin.

Staying active with friends alleviates the pressure and stress of feeling unhappy.

“I try to surround myself around people who make me feel good about myself, not necessarily to tell them about my problems, but to feel better. Go out and be social and hang with friends and that will get your mind off of it. It can be hard to do, but it can be done,” explained Megan Schuler.

Even holding oneself to the simple task of focusing on the good can lighten one’s mood.

“Do more positive thinking.

When you wake up name, five pos-

itive things about yourself, and when you go to bed think about those five things again,” explained Eastin.

According to all, however, despite the difficulty of these remedies, they are worth it.

“Happiness is internal; what you share with others will make you happy,” Jenkins said. “Help another person. It’s as little as holding a door for someone.”

For people who are dragged down by depressing emotions and are unable to target a person to talk to, all agree that seeking help from a therapist or counselor is noble.

“Feel normal [for seeking professional help]. Counselors are just another person to help; there isn’t anything wrong with you to talk to a counselor. We’re just regular people who care about kids,” expressed Jere Schuler.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” agreed Megan Schuler. “They are people who are there to help; it’s their job. They aren’t there to judge. They’ve gone to college to prove that other people feel the same way. They want to improve the quality of life.”

It requires the right mindset, however. One must know and accept that help from a professional is understandable and perfectly OK. “Therapy really helps when you put your mind to it. You have to want help, and you have to be willing to take suggestions to get better. There has to be a point in time when you don’t want to feel like that anymore,” described Jenkins.

Along with the suggestions of seeking help from friends, or engaging in social activities or volunteer opportunities, there comes a certain amount of acceptance about life that will allow the proceeding through unforeseen doors to be less frightening.

“There’s a certain amount of sadness in life. There’s going to be times when relationships you thought would last forever end, parents don’t treat you how you wanted to be treated,” said Jere Schuler.

However, he adds a saying about life that he wishes others to keep in mind.

“We are all going through it.”

Relationships end and begin; and homework is turned in. There will be times in life where an gray cloud seems like it will be in its same location about one’s head forever. The healthy idea to know is the people who experience life in these terms are not alone, and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Life after MHS: Graduates find whole new world

By Riley Trotter, Design Editor

Many high school students don’t seem to realize that life after high school isn’t as simple as it may seem.

“The biggest difference is the sudden surge of personal responsibility. No one is prepared to be thrown into a class they are told they need and have tests and homework thrown at them with no help from a professor, all while dealing with the stress that there are hundreds of dollars on the line you could lose if you don’t do well,” said Mattoon High School 2010 graduate Ryne Smith.

“It is exaggerated, but that is pretty much the difference between high school and college.”

Many graduates miss different aspects of about high school now

that they find themselves in college.

“I miss high school because the teacher cares more about the student than here in college,” said Lee Mayhood, a 2012 graduate from MHS. Lack of assistance from professors seems to be an issue for many college students.

“Students are by far not prepared to be as self-sufficient as college demands. Even with advisors, 90 percent of your class scheduling and figuring out what you need for a degree had to be done alone, and I know multiple people who ended up eating time and money on classes they didn’t need sometimes at the fault of the advisors,” said Smith. “In addition, students are not ready to be so self-sufficient when it comes to homework, deadlines and

“The biggest difference is the sudden surge of personal responsibility.”

Ryne Smith, 2010 MHS alum studying.”

Similar problems are noticed by Mayhood.

“Students are not going to be prepared for when they have to do assignments on their own and teachers don’t take the time to help you unless it’s through email or set up an appointment, which sometimes they won’t get back to you,” said Lee Mayhood.

Although current college students seem to have a similar under-

standing of their new world, high school students still vary in their ideas of the future.

“I expect the classes to be a lot more difficult and college to be somewhat fun. And after college, I hope to get a good paying job and be able to travel the country with my degrees,” said Justin Chaney, a junior at MHS. Many aspects of college are exactly how students expected, while some are different.

“Things are mostly how I expected them to be. I expected college to be more formal than it actually is,” said Smith.

There are some things students wish they could’ve done differently before they graduated.

“Honestly, to try harder my senior year. I was just ready to get out and didn’t try as hard, so I really didn’t take anything with me,” said Mayhood.

Yet, high hopes are held for many high school students.

Regardless, many believe that life after high school will be better than their high school years.

“I don’t really have a fear of graduating, I’m ready to get out of the house, and I have most things in place to be able to,” said Chaney.

Entertainment

Page Designer Lane Plummer

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

7

Two Goliaths: Halo vs. Black Ops

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GAME INFORMER

By Lane Plummer, Online Editor With the seventh generation of console gaming coming to a conclusion and both the Halo and Call of Duty IPs littering the years with release titles (five of the former, nine of the latter), one must ask the burning question: how long can a series be stretched until it snaps?

Both Halo 4 and Black Ops 2 provide ambitious goals both in storytelling and online integration, and both succeed in executing these ambitious sights effectively but unfortunately present unreasonable flaws within these new ideas.

Campaign: Black Ops 2

One of the most controversial areas that both games strive to captivate players in is the singe-player. Halo 4 dived into the relationship between Master Chief and AIpartner Cortana, and Black Ops 2 stands as the first Call of Duty to be set in a technologically enhanced environment. Halo 4 motivated me to continue playing with its solid story, but the campaign otherwise doesn’t impress as much as Black Ops 2.

Black Ops 2’s most innovative aspect is its single-player campaign, a surprise for the otherwise mul-

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to lack much value to come back.

Black Ops 2’s campaign has 160 challenges to complete among all the missions, leaderboards to battle against your friends and many small changes that make the offline experience not only the strongest among it and Halo 4, but the strongest among the series’ long history.

tiplayer-heavy franchise. Divided by multiple parts, you’ll find yourself fighting in Vietnam and battling camoflauged foes in 2025, commanding several squads of soldiers and aiding tech sentries. The campaign always had me doing something new, little or large, which engaged me much more than Halo 4.

The villain in Black Ops 2 is also leaps and bounds beyond any evilforce found in Halo’s universe. I found myself sympathizing with not a monster from another planet, but a man who is coping with loss the only way he knows: the infliction of pain on others. I didn’t even see the villain in Halo 4 outside of two encounters, diminishing any sense of urgent emotion or aggressiveness I attained from Black Ops 2.

I appreciated the protagonist-focused approach 343 Studios made with Halo 4, but the universe seems

Outside of a disappointing campaign, Halo 4 astonishes with fantastic strides in its cooperative miniseries and addicting multiplayer features. The loved across-theboard ranking is back and tweaked to suit with a more streamlined system. The new Dominion gametype is a refreshing twist of the established Domination-like mode, and the new Flood game type is one step ahead of any other infectionlike gameplay in any online I’ve ever played.

The Spartan Ops mode stands as my favorite addition to the series.

It’s a mini-series of missions where players can tackle with up to four strangers or friends that features a stand-alone storyline that ties with the Halo 4 storyline. It’s presented in an interesting fashion along with gorgeously animated CGI, which connects each episode. The frus-

What Do You Think?

Multiplayer: Halo 4

tration-free gameplay is rewarding and engaging enough to keep waiting for the release of the next weekly content.

On the other side of the spectrum, we have Black Ops 2. The zombies mode provides a muchneeded alternation to the formula that players have either come to love or hate since World at War. Personally, I was never a fan of zombies, but I can appreciate the amount of effort put forth. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the game’s multiplayer.

The multiplayer contains some new innovations in its Create-AClass, with camouflages now applicable to pretty much any object you use and a new 10-point weight system that makes for some interesting class choices. In the end, it doesn’t innovate in the same way as other Call of Duty’s have. Also, great strides forward from prior entries as recent as Modern Warfare 3 such as strike packages, weapon leveling, combat training, and even game modes have been ditched, watered down or just neglected outright. This is an instant advantage for Halo 4: the multiplayer adds the good and filters out the bad; Black Ops 2’s online filters and adds ev-

erything carelessly.

The servers also seem plagued with lag issues; latency is still a prominent let down that has been fixed in other installments and connection problems are abound. Include some outrageously confusing elements of the gameplay and the gameplay seems almost trivial at best (since when do I have to avoid a level-one killstreak with a level 55 perk?). Put simply, the multiplayer can be enjoyable, but it is certainly not better than any other entry, proving the least enjoyable multiplayer.

Winner: Halo 4

I wouldn’t say that either Halo 4 or Black Ops 2 is unplayable or awful. In fact, both games are great!

However, Halo 4 proved a more successful addition to the franchise and a new take on the established Halo universe with the amazing help of newcomer 343 Studios.

Black Ops 2 was exhilarating up to the point I connected to a lobby, showing signs of wear that the series is finally falling apart. Adequate isn’t good enough for a clash as big as the one faced between these two juggernauts, and that is why Halo 4 is the clear-cut choice between both games.

Wii U: Is Nintendo’s latest Nintendo’s greatest?

By Jarett Martin, Distribution/Promotion Manager

To me, only three consoles stand out; PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, and they’re always in competition with each other in the current industry.

Now, Nintendo has released its new game system, the Wii U. It is very different than any other system because of its unique game pad. So, if someone wants to watch TV, you can play on the gamepad on the Nintendo Wii U. The Wii U also allows your TV to play games in high definition. The games on Xbox and PlayStation couldn’t be replicated on the Original Nintendo Wii, but now, the Wii U is in HD and is able to play those games with the same quality.

Many games in its launch window (see infographic on right) have never been on Nintendo. They are now giving more gaming options, so players can use the new game system in a variety of ways.

But with every game system there is a price, and right now, it costs much more than other systems. One is the basic white version with 8GB of memory and costs $300. The other system is the deluxe black set, which comes with 32GB of memory and costs $350. The best one to buy, in my opinion,

Wii U Launch Titles

per-

PHOTO COURTESY OF BGR.COM

would be the deluxe edition because it has the additional needed memory and releases with a $60 game, Nintendo Land.

Not only is the Nintendo Wii U a new game system, but it is also a TV. With new software on the Wii U, you can connect to your cable and Hulu. One reason to use the Wii TV is that it could give you more information about the show you watch or the score of the game, even though it is on commercial.

Up to 12 users on the Wii U game system makes it so each person in the household can

personalize the Wii U to what he prefers.

Each user can store games, channels, bookmarks, play history and more. This helps organize your game system because people would have their own user, thus eliminating unwanted games and channels.

Nintendo Wii U has changed the way of playing games for years to come. It has improved every aspect of gaming and is the perfect game system for any gamer because it gives a wealth of choices that no other console on the market can currently provide.

n Call of Duty: Black Ops II n Skylanders Giants n Transformers Prime n Wipeout 3 n Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two n FIFA Soccer 13 n Tekken Tag Tournament 2 n New Super Mario Bros. U n Ninja Gaiden: Razor’s Edge n Nintendo Land n Sing Party n Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed n Warrios Orochi 3 Hyper n Darksiders II n Assassin’s Creed III n ESPN Sports Connection n Just Dance 4 n Rabbids Land n Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 n ZombiU n Scribblenauts Unlimited n Game Party Champions n Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition

8

Page Designer Kaylie Homann

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Centerspread

In the lives of five MHS students...

What is it like

By Lane Plummer, Online Editor PHOTO BY SAR AH FOSTER

Kyle Dawson flashes a pose to show his outgoing, optimistic personality, while supporting one of his favorite video games through Halo clothing.

By Sarah Foster, Features Editor Mattoon isn’t regarded as the town with the most culture – it in no way is comparable to cities such as Chicago or New York City, who possess as many variations in ethnic backgrounds as buildings.

However, it does offer a mix of unique residents, including students, who are sent to Mattoon High School as a way to learn and aid in their discovery process. Each has their own calling, his own meaning in life. After all, there is no human being exactly alike.

One of these students is MHS junior Kyle Dawson.

When Dawson walks down the 200 hallway in the early morning, a number of people are attracted to his kindness, his excitement and his unique views on life that even a Monday morning cannot stop.

“Kyle is funny, nice. He goes out of his way to help people,” said longtime friend, junior Ben Karpus. “He’s not like other people; he’s different. He’s his own person.”

For junior Kara Brand, similar feelings toward Dawson appeared after a brief introduction her freshman year. As a first impression, she saw him as “a crazy kid.” However, Brand grew to admire Dawson’s incomparable traits. “[Dawson] is a fun-loving young man who has good virtues and is intelligent in most categories. He’s a very good friend,” she said.

MHS Discipline Secretary Tammy Munyon had the opportunity to meet and build a relationship with Dawson through school and church settings. There she experienced his character and saw him evolve into who he is today.

“Kyle is compassionate and kind. He takes integrity to a whole new level. He’s a team player and builder,” she said.

MHS sophomore Sean Dawson, the younger brother of Kyle, possesses similar views on his sibling, despite the common ri-

valry that exists between brothers during the teen years.

“He’s a guy of good morals; he knows the line between right and wrong. He’s a very intelligent guy. There’s not many I can say who have as bright of a future as he does,” he explained.

In addition to the moral company he provides, the friends of Kyle Dawson have also come to know his eccentricity. Dawson is full of meaningful ideas and holds his personal philosophy in confidence.

“My favorite hobby is being myself. Don’t let other people get in your way. If anyone was to be judgmental or condemn you for being who you are, it should drive you to be more,” explained Dawson, wearing a shirt that accentuates one of his favorite, newly published video games, Halo 4.

Playing video games is, in fact, one of Dawson’s hobbies that he enjoys the most.

“I play about three to four hours a day,” he said.

When Karpus, Brand and Sean Dawson are asked to describe their friend and brother, the first adjective that comes to mind is how big of a gamer Dawson is.

Most of Dawson’s friends have been acquired through an online video-game system, Xbox Live, a happy medium between playing video games and spending time with others.

The system allows its gamers to converse through microphones with other players as close as a mile or as far as the opposite hemisphere.

However, these aren’t the only hobbies Dawson enjoys; in fact, there’s a whole other side to him.

There are several activities he engages in and several activities that, if given the opportunity, would make a good day for him.

“Every 24 hours I live are always different. On a good day, I like to population control squirrels, play Halo 4, play with my puppies Kiko, Sampsun and Ace and a huge part of my time now is work. I sweep floors at your local neighborhood Freddy’s,” described Dawson.

His optimism shows as he hints about loving to work, a common activity notoriously dreaded by teenagers, yet Dawson enjoys engaging in activities with others.

“I like talking to people and customers I don’t know,” he said.

“It’s fun.”

Dawson works registers and assembles custard treats at Mattoon’s newly acquired restaurant.

On nights when Dawson isn’t busy with his “hardest year in high school” or work, Dawson enjoys “playing hide and go seek and tag in Walmart, going to haunted houses” with his friends every chance he has.

He wishes to make the best of his life and enjoy every minute possible. His friends are what make this goal possible.

Dawson has already organized a set of goals and plans for his future. His love for science has encouraged him to study biology after high school.

“I want to [go to University of Illinois] and study microbiology, and then I want to go to grad school for that or epidemiology, which is the study on diseases and the affects they have on people,” explained Dawson.

The study in such a competitive field requires an abundance of intelligence and talent, but according to Dawson’s brother, adulthood will be very easy for him.

Munyon expresses similar feelings about Dawson’s transition from high school to the real world, not only because of his intelligence, but because of his compassion that shines through every day.

“Kyle is a leader,” said Munyon. “Whether it’s a corporation or a youth group, he will be successful because of his tender, caring heart.”

Throughout all of Kyle Dawson’s life, he has been held in high regard by his friends and will continue to be.

“Kyle’s a good friend. If you’re talking to him, he’ll let you finish unlike other people.

He’s very considerate,” explained Karpus.

Within the hallways of MHS, students moan about projects they’ve been asked to complete over a weekend or having to go to their next hour class.

A small amount of students have jobs, and even fewer enjoy it. MHS junior Nathan Breeze has a lot on his plate, from being a dedicated player of the MHS football team to being a hard-working employee at Mattoon’s brand-new Freddy’s.

“I stay pretty active. I’m on the junior varsity and varsity football team. I’ve tried for the baseball team and am an active member of the FFA,” said Breeze.

Breeze was recently hired at Freddy’s and has devoted more time than any of his fellow employees: a whopping 50+ hours.

“I mainly talk to my manager about plans and sports I partake in and days I need off. He’s pretty lenient about it,” said Breeze.

Breeze’s dedication shows through more than his job. His football coach, Troy Johnson, has been at his side for three seasons, watching him mature and realizing what kind of young man he is, on or off the field.

“He’s a hard-working kid, and football means something to him. He’s a good player, and he works hard to make himself even better. I’m interested in the talent he brings by being a hard-working student,” said Johnson.

Breeze is a common example of the student body participating in the stressful times of school work and projects, all the while maintaining a demanding job.

With economic downfalls surrounding the job market, hours are harder to come by and unfortunate cuts are often made to new and young employees. Breeze is staying on top of it all and finds enjoyment out of it.

“I like my job, what I do and the money that comes with it. If I’m not doing anything, I would rather work and get some extra money,” said Breeze.

Some of his coworkers notice this effort that he puts forward. MHS juniors Sarah Etchinson, Zach Beachy and Tempest Davis had a few opinions of their own on Breeze.

“Nathan takes the leadership role a lot when it’s needed, and he works hard while he’s there,” said Etchinson.

“He’s the scooper of the staff. He’s really good with custard and makes things fun,” said Davis.

At the end of the day, Breeze leaves an impact on the people he works with and for, as a person of few complaints who lets his actions speak louder than his words.

“He’s one of the reasons why I do what I do. Watching him work his way up the ranks from freshman to senior, to just watch kids like him mature,” said Johnson.

However, hard work and long hours don’t stop Breeze from having fun with his coworkers at Freddy’s.

“I’d give him a hug if he was here right now, a big ol’ hug from Handlebar Thunderfist,” said Beachy.

Breeze is an interesting person that adds perspective to a bigger picture, the struggle to balance the demands between school and the job.

Students roam the hallways everyday moaning about never-ending projects piled on top of the last and whine over walking into their next hour class.

Breeze proves that not every student must submit to this cycle, and with enough prioritizing and application, rewards may be reaped from having both a time to learn and a time to earn.

PHOTO BY L ANE PLUMMER

Nathan Breeze practices catching in his full gear for the 2013 baseball season.

Centerspread

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

9

PHOTO BY K AYLIE HOMANN

Leah Buck studies the planera worm in Zoology class at MHS.

IN THEIR SHOES?

By Kaylie Homann, Editor-in-Chief Walking through the halls of Mattoon High School, students will encounter the class clown, the sporty guy and the preppy girl. However, when one walks by junior Leah Buck, her intelligence comes to mind.

Although her brainpower is a big part of her life, many of those closest to her know her for the quality of her character.

While Buck sits quietly in her Honors Zoology class, teacher Deanna MacDonald tells the class, “I know it’s Friday,” but insists they engage in the learning for the day.

Buck is ready to do so, and her task is to feed the planarea worm.

MacDonald announces the instructions quickly, and the words “mid ventral,” “chemoreceptors” and “metabolic waste” hang in the air. Buck sits soundlessly, intent and far from distraction. When the class goes to the back to pick up microscopes, Buck stands and waits for her classmates to obtain theirs first.

While studying the planarea, Buck tilts her head in curiosity and jots down notes. She listens to others and helps those in her group with a smile always on her face.

“She keeps you on your toes because she’s going to question everything,” said MacDonald. “And I mean that in a good way.”

Not only does Buck show her intentness in Honors Zoology, but Honors English III as well.

“She always knows the right answer, her teachers know that, and she values learning,” said English teacher Kaleigh McRoberts. “Anything she has to say is profoundly insightful, and she says it always with a smile. She’s happy to learn.”

Not only does Buck learn through experiences in the classroom, she also becomes more diverse by participating in a vast number of extracurricular activities.

“I want to figure out stuff instead of memorizing facts,” said Buck. “I tutor freshman algebra two days, scholastic bowl two days, play varsity volleyball, and I’m pretty active in my church’s youth group.”

Although Buck is very busy with these activities, she does it with two goals in mind.

“Math comes easily to me. I’m more empathetic on people who struggle with math. It’s rewarding to help them have that ah-ha! moment,” Buck said.

Because of this desire to help others, she works well with those students in her classes.

“I can pair her with anyone, and she will help that person and work with that person,” said McRoberts. “She’ll collaborate with anyone, and she’ll be kind, patient and polite. She does the right thing and does it because she cares about herself and others. If it applies to academics, she’ll help everyone get it. Leah’s good. She deserves good things in life.”

One who may experience the majority of Buck’s goodness is one of her best friends, MHS junior Katie Diener. Since sixth grade, Diener and Buck have been best friends. They met through mutual classes and mutual friends.

“She’s reliable, dedicated to sports, family and church,” said Diener.

“She’s really smart, so she makes me want to do better in school.”

Buck may be serious in school and sports, but she knows when to joke around with her friends.

“Every time we go to her house, we make food that tastes awful but looks good,” said Diener.

Buck and Diener have similarities when it comes to having fun.

“We have the same sense of humor,” said Buck. “We laugh and make fun of each other.”

Ten years from now, Buck sees herself obtaining her master’s or Ph,D ,in chemical engineering.

“I’m really interested in product development and going overseas to help people who lack medical services,” said Buck. Many people may go overseas to work mainly for the money, but Buck wants to “do it for people to make their lives better.”

Although Buck is very sure on what she wants to do in her future, those around her say that her future holds much possibility still.

“I don’t even want to guess [what she’ll be doing],” said McRoberts.

“She’ll be using her incredible intelligence to do good for the world.”

By Molly Dotson, News Editor / Photo Editor

The bell rings and students immediately rush to the cafeteria for a period that, although it may not seem as educational, develops a skill require after life in high school as well--social skills.

Mattoon High School freshman Joey Munro is among these students, but he is walking at pace that appears to be much more quick.

He is anxious which is to arrive at his lunch table occupied with quite a few of his friends-located in the center of this social hub. “[Joey is] social. He enjoys doing things with his friends; he likes being part of a team,” said Jenny Hahn, whose son Tyler frequently practices basketball with Munro.

At lunch, Joey is warmly wel-

comed by his friends as they eat and discuss subjects that regularly cause an eruption of laughter all around the circular table.

“Joey is a really awesome guy; he’s funny, and sitting with him at lunch is a blast because he can always make everyone laugh at the table,” said Joey Allee, a close buddy of Munro’s.

When it is time for Munro to depart from the cafeteria and travel to his next class, he is accompanied by another pal of his named Daisy.

She attends every class with Munro, but unlike his other companions, she speaks with a rough accent, has a lot more fur and walks on all fours.

“Daisy is a service dog who helps me carry my books to class,” explained Munro, while walking hastily down the 100 hallway to be at his next class on

time.

Outside of school, Munro and Daisy part ways.

While Daisy performs various tasks such as accompanying the elderly in the nursing homes, Munro is doing activities average for a person his age.

“I watch T.V., play the Wii or hang out with friends,” said Munro.

Whether Munro is sitting in class or socializing with friends in the café, it seems like he constantly has some type of comical remark that will brighten even a gloomy class period.

“Joey is the joke master. He makes me laugh every day in class,” said Drake Helmuth with a chuckle, while reminiscing upon instances where he could not help but laugh loudly at the comment made by Munro in a solemn classroom setting.

money or intelligence. Anyone can make art from anything, said Nunamaker.

Nunamaker’s friends have only good opinions of her and what she does.

“She is very artistically talented, kind, selfless, hilarious and beautiful inside and outside,” said Taryn Kracinski, a freshman at MHS. According to other friends of Nunamaker, there are many qualities that make her a good friend.

“She’s always there to make you laugh and is super nice,” said freshman Taylor Warf.

Although her friends have their own way of describing Nunamaker, she believes different quirks about herself.

“I don’t know about sentences, but I can use words: nerdy, dorky, awkward, caring, understanding, wise in a way: I’ve been through

a lot, and my favorite thing ever is to make people happy,” said Nunamaker.

Different hobbies that people have can affect them in different ways, and Nunamaker’s passion for art inspires her life philosophy.

“Every day I find myself noticing something beautiful and thinking that it’s art, although it may not fall under and sort of category or style, it can still mean something to someone,” she said.

When it comes to her own favorite form of expression, this MHS freshman loves to get her hands dirty.

“I would like to say that my strong suit is in clay. Ever since I was little, I never wanted paint or colored pencils, I wanted clay. I would sculpt little forms or bowls all smooth and perfect. Ceramics is also what has always interested me,” said Nunamaker.

PHOTO BY MOLLY DOTSON

Joey Munro laughs with friends during lunch.

By Riley Trotter, Design Editor

For some students, sports play a large role in their lives, or school, or video games. But for Mattoon High School freshman Rylee Nunamaker, art takes up a major part of her life.

“Not only do I take a class, but my sister is majoring in graphic design, and she gave me her portfolio. I’m kind of surrounded by her projects and the things she has taught me about them,” said Nunamaker.

Each artist has a different reason for liking the subject. For some, it could be the creation of art, while for others, it may be the product itself.

“The fact that it’s all about the expression of feelings or experiences or anything, really. There doesn’t have to be a reason, and you don’t have to come from

PHOTO BY K AYLIE HOMANN

Rylee Nunamaker sketches a detailed drawing of a face in her third period art class.

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Page Designer Paige Jordan

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Entertainment

Alum makes auditions on ‘The Voice’

By Paige Jordan, Entertainment Editor

When people think of NBC’s television show “The Voice,” they think of four coaches, a big audience and a chance at making it big in music.

Mattoon High School 2009 alum Taylor Wagner made it to the blind auditions on “The Voice,” which is a bigger step than some would think.

“It’s different just because the viewers don’t get to see all the steps that went into making it to the blind audition. Only about 150 people get to that point, and that’s a huge accomplishment,” said Wagner.

On “The Voice,” there are four coaches: Adam Levine, Cee lo

Green, Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera. For the blind auditions, the four coaches have turning chairs, and if they like how a contestant sings, they turn around.

Then the singer can pick whose team he wants to be on, or if only one coach turns, then he is on that team.

While in Los Angeles for the summer, Wagner had a great experience on “The Voice.”

“It was a really cool experience.

I was able to meet so many people, which was especially cool because now I know most of the people who are making it far on the show. Even though I didn’t get picked, I was still extremely happy with where I made it because I got to the final 150 out of around

45,000 people who auditioned.

Plus, I got to sing for Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera and all of the coaches, and that’s not something that many people can say,” said Wagner.

If Wagner would have been chosen by a judge, she would have had a coach in mind.

“Since I’m a country singer, my initial gut instinct would be to go with Blake Shelton, but I honestly would have listened to what each coach had to say, and I would have chosen who I felt the most connection with and who made the best argument,” said Wagner.

Blake Shelton did give Wagner some constructive criticism before she went off stage.

“Blake told me I need to control

PHOTO COURTESY OF TAYLOR WAGNER

Coach Blake Shelton listens to MHS alum Taylor Wagner sing “Mean” by Taylor Swift during an audition for NBC’s television show “The Voice.”

“She always tried out for the talent shows, and she was very dedicated.”

Vinnie Walk, economics and sociology teacher my ‘Swang’ a little when singing country. It’s great to sound country and not to push it too hard, and he thought I was pushing it a little bit too hard. So I should rein it in just a little bit,” said Wagner.

Unlike some, Wagner feels more comfortable singing in front of a big group of people, but in front of four professional celebrity musicians was a different story.

“I don’t really get nervous singing anymore. But I have to admit that I was terrified to sing for those coaches! I was shaking and having serious breathing problems. It was hugely nerve-wracking getting up on that stage that you’ve seen on TV a million times and singing face to face in front of those coaches. I’ve never sang for an extremely famous person before, let alone four of them,” said Wagner.

Wagner said she chose “The Voice” because they treat people better than some TV shows.

“I have auditioned for the other shows like ‘American Idol’ and ‘The X Factor,’ and the culture is completely different. They are only interested in humiliating certain people and making it a dramafilled show, and they also pay no attention to the people (off camera),” said Wagner.

Wagner said “The Voice” is a different.

“You’ll notice they never try to embarrass anybody on TV. That’s not what they set out to do. They have everyone’s best intentions at heart,” said Wagner.

Wagner also said that the producers got to know all of the contestants personally to where they knew all of them by name.

MHS economics and sociology teacher Vinnie Walk knew Wagner best when she was in class and knew she had star potential.

“I have known her for a very long time. She used to go to my church, and she entered the talent shows,” said Walk.

Walk said he would have expected Wagner to try out for the TV shows because one of her goals was to become a wellknown singer.

“She always tried out for the talent shows, and she was very dedicated. You have to try to succeed,” said Walk.

MHS sophomore Jacob Wagner, who is Taylor’s cousin, thinks it’s a little odd seeing and hearing about Taylor on TV shows.

“I grew up with her, and it is weird seeing all the people that know her,” said Jacob.

Jacob watched her on “The Voice,” and so did others in their family.

“We didn’t get together, but we did watch it. She has been singing for about five years, so it was big for her,” said Jacob.

To Wagner, since she had such a good experience, she will definitely try out again.

“I can’t next year because I will be in school, but I definitely will again once I’m out of school,” said Wagner.

‘Skyfall’ is chilling action film, yet less than expected

By Lane Plummer, Online Editor

Reviewer’s Rating

When we last saw Bond in action, he was uncovering the sinister plans of Dominic Greene in Marc Foster’s last and mediocre effort “Quantum of Solace.”

A massive amount of effort would have to be put forward to make Bond acceptable for turned-away fans, and “Skyfall” was to be the answer. Thanks to a fresh and talented director, a magnified focus on the series-spanning relationships between the agents within MI6 and a well-written script, “Skyfall” not only redeems the franchise but stands as one of the best Bond films in decades.

After an interesting introduction provided by Adele, Bond starts off with a vital mission: track down the missing files of the exposed MI6 agents. After a shocking turn of events, we find him detached from his prior life, suffering from a harsh lack of trust and bitter for blood. Soon after he’s off the grid, M becomes the target of a cyberattack, and she needs Bond more than ever.

Sam Mendes, director of “Skyfall” and the critic gem “American Beauty,” provides the series with a

refreshing perspective. The pacing is slower than the expected rate for the 50-year franchise, and the concentration of the film is not on the babes or the gadgets; rather, it revolves around the relationships between M and Bond. This unusual focus requires a massive overhaul in scriptwriting and acting, and Mendes doesn’t disappoint.

Judi Dench and Daniel Craig are marvelous in their roles, taking into consideration the new focus that puts prominence on them.

The acting never becomes awkward as in the last Bond film, and I felt strongly for the two. Proper marks go to Craig, who before played his role rather unconvincingly, for he is now the full-blooded Bond that no other actor in the series has capably performed until now. This focus on acting is innovative for 007, which carries over to the other side of the spectrum of the movie: the antagonist.

As Bond sits in a chair willingly awaiting this man who has

been scheming massive-scaled cyber-attacks against MI6, suspense builds. When we finally meet him, jaws drop. Javier Bardem, known almost completely off of his award-winning role as the villain in “No Country for Old Men,” enters the stage as Raoul Silva.

Once again, he enters with an odd haircut and an unsettling voice.

We’re introduced to a villain who may not be that unrelated to MI6.

Barden proves to best every other 007 villain to date.

Silva is vicious but with a relatable moral driving his actions, and as his past pains were caused by his targets, he feels oddly connected to the agency and even Bond.

He almost serves as a foreshadowing to Bond’s future, and the movie takes much care in adding this new character.

“Skyfall” is less of what you expect from Bond and more of Mendes’ personal contribution to the long-running series, paying off monumentally in some areas while not doing so hot in others. While it is a nice change of pace, the dark tone detracts from what drew us to the Bonds since the beginning-cynical playfulness is rarely seen here. The grim tone is relatable to Nolan’s “Dark

PHOTO BY L ANE PLUMMER

Knight Rises,” and while I love a well-done, thick atmosphere, it can only take over so much of a 007 film.

Snagging issues aside, “Skyfall” is a definite improvement over the lackluster “Quantum of Solace” and fits right next to Bond’s best adventures, “Casino Royale,” “From Russia with Love” and “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” One may question where the series goes from here, for the story seems at the end of

its rope along with agent 007.

However, there will always be more, and I will always be open for it. The movie’s fresh turn on pacing, character growth and explosive cinematic moments lends a uniqueness that no other entry has replicated to this degree. We need Bond, even after the ups and downs of 50 years. “Skyfall” reminds us how deeply thrilling, chilling and exciting an action film can be, which keeps me on the edge for the next entry.

Entertainment

Page Designer Paige Jordan

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

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‘Collide’ concert successfully entertains

By Paige Jordan, Entertainment Editor

Singing at the top of your lungs in a crowded space full of energy and having a great time with hundreds of other people is what happened to me when I went to the Collide with the Sky Tour.

Once I arrived at the venue, I knew it was going to be a good time. The House of Blues atmosphere is beautiful, and the music sounds great. The whole building is based off of blues. The walls are artsy, and the music in the lounge and in the restaurant is blues.

Upstairs, where the bands play, there are balconies where people can stand and standing room on the floor. The only problem with the floor is how tight everyone was because when people wanted out we all had to squish together, but wherever you are you can see

the stage.

Three bands that night: Hands Like Houses, Sleeping With Sirens and Pierce The Veil.

I didn’t know Hands like Houses, so I didn’t know what to expect, but they brought an amazing show. They had high energy and great music.

B e f o r e S l e e p i n g Wi t h S i rens went on stage, I could hear them practicing behind the curtain. Most of the people around me were freaking out because just knowing that in moments a band that you really like will be right in front of you is such a great feeling.

When the curtain went up, everyone went wild at the beginning, and it was kind of rough because of the pushing, but after a while, the crowd settled down. The first song they played was “Do It Now, Remember Later,” which is proba-

bly my favorite song by them.

When Sleeping With Sirens went off stage, everyone was ready for Pierce the Veil. When the curtains opened, everyone still had a lot of energy. I was tired, but when they came out adrenaline hit me.

Another song they sang was “Caraphernelia” originally featured Jeremy McKinnion, but instead the guitarist of Sleeping With Sirens Jesse Lawson, who sang his parts, which was amazing and unexpected. The very last song they sang was “King For A Day.” This features Sleeping With Sirens lead singer Kellin Quinn.

Once I overcame the sweat, tiredness and pushy people, it was a wonderful time.

I would also recommend going to The House of Blues because it is a great venue.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLIE COLBERT

Pierce the Veil guitarist Tony Perry plays on Nov. 9 at the House of Blues in Chicago.

‘Twilight’ phenomenon ends on very strong note

By Emma Diltz, Advertising Manager/Sports Editor

It’s over. The worldwide “Twilight” phenomenon came to an end with the premiere of “Breaking Dawn: Part 2.” This one of the series proves to be the best one yet.

The opening scene begins with Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) opening her blood-red eyes to a “new” world, discovering her powers and altering to eternal life. She learns to control her thirst for human blood and adjust to her record speed and strength. The film started slowly, which was slightly disappointing, and it didn’t pick up its speed until about half way through.

Both her and Edward Cullen’s (Robert Pattinson) daughter, Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy), was a welcoming change.

Reviewer’s Rating

Their half-human, half-vampire daughter grows at an unimaginable rate, transferring from infant to toddler and then to child all in a matter of weeks. Because of features like a vampire, she is mistaken as a human child bitten to become a vampire.

In the error in thinking of her as an immortal, the Volturi set out to visit and destroy her. A request is made to all of the Cullens’ vampire friends around the world to witness to the Volturi that she isn’t what they think she is. Because of the misunderstanding involving Renesmee, the climax of the movie builds to an epic, lengthy battle on a frozen lake be-

tween the Cullens and theirs friends, and the Volturi. This action sequence is one that left me in awe. The result of it was certainly unexpected.

Kristen Stewart herself as developed amazingly as an actress.

A once shy, timid mortal has now changed gracefully into a strong, confident vampire. Her awkward and clumsy moves have since transformed into that of a mature and experienced actress.

Robert Pattinson keeps up his eternal poise. Throughout the series, he hasn’t lived up to his full potential. His tough exterior and strength as Edward is shoved into the shadows as Bella emerges as a beautiful young vampire after her alteration.

Taylor Launtner continues to show his passion and aggression as Jacob Black. He brings forth the “wolf”

within himself to protect Bella and Renesmee, but he does sometimes exert a little too much force into his character and doesn’t seem as natural as he should. But yes ladies, he does take his shirt off.

Along with the return of all the previous characters, the release of this new movie presents a new character: Renesmee as Mackenzie Foy. While looking strikingly like Stewart and Pattinson, Foy debuts in the finale as a fast growing half-vampire, half-human. Renesmee is a charming character with the ability to win over both the characters in the movie and the “Twilight” fans.

The villain in this picture is Aroplayed gloriously by Michael Sheenthe leader of the Volturi. He’s overdramatic, yet entertaining by squealing at the sight of Renesmee in all his

velvet-robed glory. The melodrama he brings to this chapter makes the movie by adding additional amusement and a dash of antagonism.

Prior installments of the series did a fantastic job of leading up to the finale. Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade and Bill Condon as directors all did an exceptional job of bringing this saga to life on the big screen.

It’s taken four years to get through the series of “Twilight,” and the finale of “Breaking Dawn: Part 2” ends the series on a strong note. The characters all come together in a way that shows how close they’ve grown over the years. It’s hard to believe that this classic couple started out as an impossible high school romance. The case of these star-crossed lovers beating the odds will, without a doubt, suffice for “Twilight” fans everywhere.

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THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Page Designer Justin Gordon

Opinion

Animation Wars: Yellow vs. Cutout SimpStats

By Justin Gordon, Managing Editor Long ago, in an amazing decade called the 80’s, a little show was created and became a phenomenon overnight. I am talking, of course, about “The Simpsons.”

Ever since this yellow, dysfunctional family appeared on people’s television sets in December of 1989, they have constantly been redefining what comedy is much like its counterpart “South Park.”

“The Simpsons,” however, has always been funnier than “South Park” for the sheer fact that it would never has to resort to lowbrow jokes and controversy to be funny.

“South Park,” created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, has been around since the 90’s and is known for pushing the envelope on what you can put on television.

This isn’t art; it’s just a way to get people to say “Wow, can they really say that?”

With “The Simpsons,” viewers acquire much more thoughtful humor. The writers would craft the jokes like a fine jeweler would craft a diamond. The show’s major humor point is that stupid people succeed in the world.

Every character, from the police chief to the local comic book guy, is unintelligent. Yet, they always find moderate success, whereas the people with a bit more intelligence, such as Lisa Simpson, Professor Frink and the crazy cat lady, are all always trying and failing to succeed in life.

One of my favorite examples of this humor is in the season 5 episode, “Homer Goes to College,” where the government is checking the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant for safety. One of the intelligent individuals on the show places Homer

By Molly Dotson, News Editor/ Photo Editor Comparing “South Park” and “The Simpsons” is like comparing cheesy poofs to doughnuts; although doughnuts are more appealing to the eye, it will leave you with disappointment from the icing and sprinkles right down to the cream filling. Cheesy poofs, however, are addictive in spite of their rough exterior.

“South Park” is better than “The Simpsons” partly because of its timely content. When I wake up on a Sunday morning before I drink a cup of coffee, I stumble to my front stoop to grab the newspaper, conveniently lying in a cylindrical form, in order to read the

n Started as a short on “The Tracey Ulman Show” n First episode debuted Dec. 17, 1989 n Reached 100th episode: April 28, 1994 n Reached 200th episode: April 26, 1998 n Reached 300th episode: Feb. 2, 2003 n Reached 400th episode: May 20, 2007 n First feature-length movie in 2007 n Reached 500th episode: Feb. 19, 2012

in a very dark basement to hide him from the government by telling him to watch a bee in a jar. Well, at one point the bee escapes, and Homer goes chasing him. Just as the government is about to clear the power plant, Homer lunges from the basement and proclaims, “BEE BIT MY BOTTOM, NOW MY BOTTOM BIG!” Unintelligence reared its ugly head and won in the end.

In “South Park,” all the viewer will find is a parody of current events in a disgusting or controversial manner. You will not find deeper humor. It’s like Parker and Stone bombard you with “jokes” like “Look at this, The Dark Knight Rises was a hit so we have the main villain of that movie kidnapping a UPS worker.

Aren’t we so hip and funny?” No, that is the easiest form of humor. You could probably hear the jokes “South Park” makes in a men’s lockerroom.

“The Simpsons” is also better animated than “South Park.” I will never understand how anybody thought having paper cut outs would be a good basis for an animation style. Sure, it gives an identity, but a lazy one. Animation in “South Park” only takes days to do. Comparing that to the weeks it takes to animate “The Simpsons,” one could see which show puts in the most effort.

“The Simpsons” animation takes so much time and work. They pay attention to detail and do their all to make sure not a single flaw is made. The fact that they are

Stat Park n n n n n

Debuted Aug. 13, 1997 Reached 100th episode: April 9, 2003 Reached 200th episode: April 14, 2010 First feature-length movie in 1999 The South Park “Stick of Truth” comes out in 2013

notifying content within. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to do this every day during the week, especially on Wednesdays, so it is good to the see the latest conflict being parodied on the new episode of “South Park.”

Although the graphic quality

of “South Park” may seem less attractive, simplicity is the key to creating a persistent animation that is also hysterical because creating it takes little time, but the content is rich in humor. “South Park” proves good comedy is not about the illustrations. Anima-

yellow gives them an identity and makes it stand out from the crowd or other cartoon characters. Also, the characters move like actual human beings would, and the animation just flows. Even today when the show isn’t the greatest of quality, in the writing department, “The Simpsons” has the best animation of any animated series on television.

“The Simpsons” single handily changed the way we viewed animated TV. Before them, all animated shows consisted of were “The Flintstones,” and “The Jetsons,” and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that “The Simpsons” is nothing like those shows. Without “The Simpsons,” there would be no “South Park.” So, maybe “South Park” fans should show a little respect to their yellow elders.

tors should not have to make up for bad content with graphics like they do in the Simpsons.

“South Park” has also stayed captivating to its audience, unlike “The Simpsons.” Ask anyone, even Justin Gordon. “The Simpsons” was a much funnier series during its earlier years, and now it is slowly declining in humor and viewers. I’ll admit it, I chuckle here and there, but these giggles are inferior to the belly laughs I receive when watching an episode of “South Park.”

As “The Simpsons” is decreasing in viewers, it is clear that audiences of “South Park” are still watching because this satire can be enjoyed by all age groups. It

informs the viewer of the most recent events in the world with a spin that is immaturely fashioned.

Although it is not recommended for small children, it can be perceived as funny for them as well as their well-informed grandfather, who will understand the allusions more clearly.

Because this animated show can be related to by all ages, it demonstrates longevity that is recognized by a diverse audience. Although “The Simpsons” is an admirable work of art, its content is declining like the rich taste of a doughnut after several bites. However, cheesy poofs remain delicious and fresh like every new season of “South Park.”

Students must get aggressive about upcoming college costs As the school year progresses, lunch detentions, overdue assignments and library fines are common concerns among underclassmen.

Yet, these troubles seem trivial to those upperclassmen who are beginning to worry about how they are going to pay for college.

Several say before making decisions about college it is essential to ask yourself if paying for a degree will be worth it in the long run.

My answer is yes; whether a person is a manager at a restraunt or a pediatrician, earning a college diploma provides support that is needed to survive the corporate world.

Some believe going to college is not necessary to become successful, and that anyone who is truly talented and knows what he wants to do can achieve any goal.

Although this notion is ideal, it

Tuition Facts

Molly Dotson News and Photo Editor is often far from the truth. With a job comes fierce competition, and having a college degree puts a person ahead of the crowd that has not achieved this valuable accomplishment.

Going to college also plays a vital role because it teaches skills relating to the job desired and prepares for the actual work environment. Not receiving a college diploma is like playing in an NFL game without practicing first.

With going to college comes paying tuition that could render a person penniless, but fortunately, there are several solutions to re-

All cost estimates for the 2011-2012 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics

n n n n n n n n

Lake Land College: $2,904 Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville: $8,865 Eastern Illinois University: $10,534 Southern Illinois University in Carbondale: $11,038 Illinois State University: $11,832 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: $13,838 Millikin University: $28,612 Illinois Wesleyan University: $36,572

lieve the stress that is college tuition.

One way to spend less is by taking the dual-credit courses offered at Mattoon High School.

These classes are useful because they will most likely be required to take in college, but at the high school it comes at a highly reduced

price. For example, Composition I is a college class available to seniors, and it only costs $35 to take at MHS. This is a wise investment because this class is around $300 at Lake Land college, and it is a general education requirement, which means a student will have to take

this class regardless in order to graduate college.

Whether you are going to community college or prefer a university for all four years, a great way to save money is by applying for scholarships.

There are several local and national scholarships available in the Counselors office, so it is not a waste of time because the more money you receive, the easier paying off loans will be.

The solution to unaffordable college tuition is to decide what steps you need to talk in order to go to your desired college. After all, it is your education.

Planning ahead by taking dualcredit classes in high school, or going to Lake Land in order to cover prerequisite courses, are ways to save money, thus making college tuition more inexpensive.

13 Tolerance: Taking a leap of faith

Opinion

Religion: a topic so sensitive that it has caused wars, separations of families, and is the focal point of almost everything in the world.

From Jesus being in the top five most used passwords, to God being in U.S. constitution, we can find a religious allegory everywhere.

So, just like whatever is important, there are different views on it.

There is not a day that goes by at Mattoon High School where I don’t hear some conflict based on principles of religion.

Bashing someone or treating someone like he is ignorant based on his religious stance is an issue each day.

I am not going to say which faith someone should believe in. For, who am I to decide that?

As an individual on this planet, a person has a right to believe in what he believes in.

It saddens me to see people fight over something that should be a positive.

There are various reasons for a person to believe the way she does. So, the idea of people saying that a belief system is wrong and forcing beliefs onto another is just petty in my eyes.

There is no way to know what belief system is correct.

Therefore, perhaps all should just stick to their spiritual theories and try to strengthen themselves through it. Tearing someone down because they don’t agree isn’t going to accomplish anything.

This doesn’t, however, just stem from

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Page Designer Kinsey Stapleton

ILLUSTR ATION BY MOLLY DOTSON

Justin Gordon Managing Editor

Mattoon High School. Look anywhere there are wars over different ideologies. Turn on the TV, and you’ll see heated debates over this topic.

Watch any of the debates from this past year, and you’ll see conflict just because two

people don’t believe the same ideas.

Why do we have to make this a conflict?

Why can’t we allow a person to believe what he believes? Is it some form of need to always be correct?

No man is infallible. This doesn’t just go for the topic of religion; this goes for every single topic.

There are just some questions to which we can’t know the answer.

Thus, if a person thinks she is correct on every single thing, she needs to get off her high horse and rethink some details.

This article isn’t for those people. It’s for those who get bashed harshly for believing in something different.

Here is my message: believe whatever you want to believe in. If you chose to believe in God, go for it. If you chose to believe in evolution, go for it. Not a single person can take that away from you.

As it may be, there should be some form of agreement amongst dogmas to let people believe what they want to believe because possibly it is not what you have faith in, it may just be that having faith is important.

Editorial

Mandatory tutorial may be more efficient if optional MHS Mirror editorial board encourages students to truly want help from teachers

It’s a common concern among teachers, students and parents at Mattoon High School when a student doesn’t receive a desired test score.

This leads to the question of what a teacher can do to help a student better understand the given material and improve.

Because of this, some teachers at MHS assign mandatory tutorial, which requires students to come in either before or after school and review material with their teacher before they retake a test or redo an assignment.

Although requiring students to attend tutorial can be beneficial to a student in many ways, we, the staff of the MHS Mirror, believe that mandatory tutorial not is using teachers’ time the best way because many students don’t attend their assigned tutorials and then become part of the discipline system, where they still fail to learn what is necessary.

We feel students who care about their grades and/or learning will come in for help, regardless if it’s mandatory or not.

We admit that he idea of requiring a student to come in and receive help from his teacher is a strong concept, mainly because it can help a student have a better and further understanding of the material that he didn’t understand initially.

Generally, students can learn more the second time in a more individualized environment with their teacher.

Over time, this concept can greatly improve a student’s grade and can allow a student to improve his work ethic.

Whether it’s re-taking a test or

The MHS Mirror Editorial Policies

Opinions in editorials reflect the consensus decision of the newspaper staff and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mattoon High School. Opinions expressed in columns are solely those of the author.

To submit a letter to the editor, email mhsmirror@gmail.com

re-doing an assignment, requiring a student to come in for assistance can help a student.

Despite this concept being beneficial, the problem is that this idea can only be helpful if a student actually shows up and wants to learn.

MHS has a consequence for not attending tutorial, which is lunch detention, but many students still don’t show up.

This becomes a waste of teachers’ time. When a teacher is requiring tutorial, he is offering help and his time to a student.

If a student chooses to not accept this opportunity, a teacher shouldn’t have to wait or chase around for that student and continue to require that student to attend tutorial.

However, there are students who are required to come in for help and do show an improvement in their grade, which is the reason some teachers are requiring mandatory tutorial. Because there are students who are required to be in a teacher’s classroom for assistance, their grade over time can improve if the student continues to attend their tutorial.

With that being said, some stu-

dents who are attending tutorial are attending against their will.

Having a student attend tutorial when the student doesn’t want to be there is what can lead to failure in raising the student’s grade and become counterproductive to actual learning.

This issue could perhaps be resolved if students felt they had a reason to improve their grades for a certain class.

Yet, creating a drive in students to help themselves is an issue that

won’t be resolved in a short week of mandatory tutorial.

Inspiring students to take interest in their classes and their grades is a realization that will happen in students over time, and if students feel any resistance toward wanting to go to their classes, students taking interest in what they’re doing isn’t going to happen.

Now, there are many students at MHS who care about their grades and come to a teacher’s room for assistance on their own time.

These students who have a desire to improve are going to come in and ask a teacher for help regardless if it is required of them or not.

Teachers should focus on helping students like this rather than chasing students around who don’t care and never had a desire to have an improved grade in the first place.

Rather than having mandatory tutorial, teachers should suggest optional tutorial and allow those who want to help themselves come in for help on their own time.

Have an opinion?

Express your views!

Write a letter to the editor for the February edition.

Letters should be 300 words or less and signed by the author.

Send letters to mhsmirror@gmail.com, or drop letters off in room 216.

This would prevent many detentions, and would save teachers’ time, allowing educators to focus more on students who have a desire and want to better understand a subject and improve their grade.

The concept of mandatory tutorial can benefit students in many ways, but only if a student has the drive to improve and learn.

Instead of teachers using their time on students who don’t care, teachers can focus on those who want to learn and improve who they are.

14

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Page Designer Riley Trotter

Sports

Brown impacts through many roles

By Justin Gordon, Managing Editor

At Mattoon High School, there are a variety of students, administrators, coaches and teachers.

However, there is someone who roams the halls of MHS as all of those combined.

Chris Brown teaches energy, productions, drafting and communications classes. He coaches the freshman football team and sponsors the new Video Productions Club.

He is also taking classes to become an administrator, all while parenting his nearly 1-year-old son, Landon.

“It certainly makes time fly having all these responsibilities; there is barley any breathing room,” said Brown.

Brown’s students notice such multi-tasking and their teacher’s work ethic that comes with it.

“He is really trying to provide for his family by doing what he does, and while doing that, he is doing the things he loves to do. He is busy and trying to have a good

time at the same time,” said MHS senior Evan Dodson, and who was in Brown’s communications class.

Whereas most teachers have one classroom, Brown has two.

He spends his 4B period teaching productions in the woodshop. It is here, in his off time, where Brown will joke with fellow woodshop teacher and father of a young child as well: James Hood.

“We get along well, and we always strive to make the classes we teach here in the shop better,” said Hood. “We are always trying to find a middle ground for productions to make it the best it possibly can be, despite Brown being in the woodshop for only one hour.”

The similarities between these two men don’t just begin and end with having a small child at home.

“Chris and I have always been similar. Having a new kid only

adds on to our similarities,” said Hood. “We teach similar subjects, we talk sports, we coach sports. We are determined on being successful, which makes us want to be the best teachers possible.”

Brown has been given a variety of nicknames by his students in his five years at MHS. The two most popular are Brownie and Coach Breezy, a reference to R&B singer Chris Brown, who goes by the nickname Breezy.

“Kids can call me whatever they want. I am very used to having nicknames,” said Brown. “I didn’t even know my name was Chris until I moved to Mattoon. I always had a nickname, whether I would be at home or school,” said Brown.

Brown also used to co-coach the MHS wrestling team, where he would often crack jokes with the wrestlers and one time sang Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” in the wrestling room while the team practiced. He stepped down from the coaching spot this year to spend more time with his family.

“I loved coaching that team. If the wrestling season was at a different time, I would still be coaching it. However, the season is during Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I want to spend that time with my family,” said Brown. “I liked the fact that with the wrestling team, and even my freshmen football team, I was playing a hand in turning kids into men.”

Even though he is no longer coach of the team anymore, he still checks in on MHS senior wrestler Creed Janes.

“I liked him [as my coach]. He was like one of the guys that you could feel comfortable around. He always lightened the mood in tough situations,” said Janes.

Brown is also known for being quite the jokester in his classes.

“I have second-hour communications with him. I like how he can joke around with everyone in my class,” said MHS junior Ramsey Shoot.

Brown said he has a method to his “madness” when it comes to comedy in his class.

“All I try to do is make life and my classes fun, so naturally I joke around with the students,” said Brown.

That humorous teacher side of Brown is complemented by a serious side as well, particularly with his son and wife.

“I love my family, obviously.

Being a dad has changed my life so much, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Life is full of crossroads; I wouldn’t change any route I have taken. For, if I had done anything different, I probably would never have married Kristin, and I never would have had Landon,” said Brown.

Whether he is singing Tina Turner classics during practice or teaching about solar energy, or whether he is emphasizing the importance of wearing safety goggles during the day or being a loving father and husband at home, Dodson claims Brown only has one flaw.

“He cares too much, and if that is the only flaw you have, you must be one awesome human being,” said Dodson.

Students, coaches count cost of athletics at MHS

By Jarett Martin, Distribution Manager

Some people may think that playing high school sports is costly and choose not to play because of this.

However, it really doesn’t cost that much to participate in sports, according to players, coaches and administrators at Mattoon High School, and there is financial help available, when needed.

With all sports at MHS, money is budgeted for each team. Athletic Director and Assistant Principal David Vieth said these costs are in the school’s plan.

“The cost of sports is part of school budget, and each coach has a budget sheet,” said Vieth.

He said each coach has a set number he or she is able to spend for the upcoming year on his or her team.

Even though MHS helps provide financially for their sports teams, students sometimes may have to buy their own expensive equipment.

“The school has their own golf clubs, but kids buy their own clubs, and they range from about $100 to $300,” said Vieth.

Senior Noah Creed said he buys extra equipment so that he can play at a higher level.

“[I pay] for baseball training and for swinging lessons, and that could range from $50 for each lesson,” said Creed.

Agreeing with Creed is sophomore golfer Lauren Spain, who also thinks it’s expensive to play sports at times.

“Clubs really go from a couple hundred dollars to $1,500, and that is not including clothes and shoes,” said Spain.

Different sports can mean different expenses for the athletes at MHS as well.

“Depending on the sport, it could cost a lot of money for students to buy new spikes and fancy equipment for the majority of the stuff in golf and cross country,” said football and softball coach Trent Duckett.

Creed said that perhaps students should be more informed about the fact that most the equipment and necessities are provided to the students by their coaches.

“They have what they need for the sport,” said Creed.

Duckett said budgets are spent for the students to help defray those types of costs.

“The budget from the school and also fundraisers the sport does goes to stuff like equipment to help kids who don’t have the equipment,”

said Duckett.

Vieth mentioned opportunities to raise money as well.

“Most teams have fundraisers, and that money is used to buy extra shoes for anyone who can’t afford them,” said Vieth. “Some seniors leave their shoes here for students for next year to use for practice or to play the sport.”

Creed said with fundraisers that help pay for some of the equipment, it does costs less for students.

However, athletes still need to pay a certain amount to play.

“It increases each year to buy equipment and gloves in [baseball],” said Creed.

Even with cost of sports, many students don’t know that coaches are there to help students so that they can play the sports.

“Many people think that golf is expensive, but you can get used clubs, and coach gives us our bags and rain gear,” said Spain.

Duckett agrees.

“Coaches are there to help

kids,” said Duckett. “Kids are never looked down on if they need help.”

Another way MHS tries to help out students so that it doesn’t cost so much to play sport, is by using the jerseys for five years until they pay for new ones.

Even with all these aids, Duckett said he knows cost is a factor.

“I think it affects some students’ choice to play a sport, and they think it costs a lot,” said Duckett. “But coaches are there if they need help getting anything for the sport.”

Sports

THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

Page Designer Jarett Martin

15

Students enthusiastic about hunting Emma Dlitz, Advertising Manager/Sports Editor

Quiet sunrises, a dew-ridden ground and a large buck deer in sight is an ideal morning for that of a hunter, according to Mattoon High School junior Tanner Rienbolt.

“The early mornings are really quiet and peaceful,” said Rienbolt.

In towns all over the U.S., people traipse through the woods in the early hours of the morning to crouch in tree stands and wait for an animal to cross their path; Mattoon is no exception.

Most people in the area obtain their hunting licenses at a young age and use this privilege to connect with family members, such as Rienbolt.

“I got my [hunting] license in the summer after I turned 14,” Rienbolt said. “I was trying to connect more with my dad and grandpa by starting to hunt.”

Senior Gabe Stoll also obtained

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GABE STOLL

Senior Gabe Stoll captures his game while enjoying the sport of hunting. Stoll said his right to hunt at an early age.

“The license has to be renewed every year, but I first got mine in seventh grade,” said Stoll.

Hunting consists of early mornings on numerous days, but many put their sleep underneath their love of hunting.

“My hunting spot is about 45

minutes away from my house, so I get up at about 3:45 [in the morning],” said Stoll. “If you see a deer, then it’s worth it.”

Junior Lynn Webb said she wakes up early to go, but she loves it.

“I get up about 4:30 [in the morning], but it all depends on the sunrise,” said Webb.

Hunting entails many different seasons, such as deer, turkey and waterfowl season, and the people around Mattoon enjoy varying seasons depending on what their preference in game is.

“My favorite [hunting] season is deer season because it’s the biggest game, and it’s hard to find,” said Webb.

Stoll also enjoys deer season, but it isn’t necessarily his favorite.

“My favorite is turkey hunting because they are really smart animals, which make them tough to hunt,” said Stoll.

Like in any other sport, there is a scoring or point system. Depending on how big the kill is, the hunter receives a certain amount of points.

For Rienbolt, his biggest was a 4 by 5. This means that the deer he took down with his shotgun had four antlers on one side and five on the other.

The adrenaline roaring through them after a kill is what keeps many hunters persevering for more.

“Getting a kill is an adrenaline

rush. I get cold chills and a shortening of breath,” Rienbolt said.

“It’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

Stoll understands the feeling Rienbolt explained.

“It’s definitely an adrenaline rush,” said Stoll. “Then you realize it’s cold and start shivering, but once you find that animal on the ground, it’s a big accomplishment.”

While the sport of hunting is sometimes viewed as inhumane, those who participate don’t think it’s wrong at all.

“I don’t feel bad because I don’t hunt just for the heck of it,” Webb said. “We use the meat for food.”

Like Webb, Rienbolt also has good use for the meat off the animals they kill.

“I never feel remorse after a kill because it’s going to a good cause. Whatever we don’t eat, we give away,” said Rienbolt. “I view it as population control.”

Cheerleading: Another sport like others at MHS

By Jarett Martin, Distribution/Promotion Manager

At Mattoon High School, many have seen cheerleaders cheering on the football and basketball teams. Also many may believe that cheerleading is not a sport because they don’t work as hard as other sports at the school, but according to the cheerleaders themselves, they definitely do.

Senior MHS cheerleader Marissa Showalter said her team trains and competes just as much any other sport at MHS does.

“We practice as hard and long and also have just as many injuries as any sport at MHS,” said Showalter.

MHS junior basketball player Travis Kittell agrees that cheerleaders put in the effort to be considered a hard-working team.

“They do their athletics as good as we do and also work as hard as we do, too,” said Kittell.

Not only do cheerleaders work hard individually, but they also have to work as a team. In order to perform well together, cheerleaders build strong relationships with each other.

“We talk to each other before practice starts and after practices,” said MHS junior cheerleader Victoria Drake.

Showalter also believes that they work well as a group.

“As a team, we got a lot stronger,” said Showalter. “We are like a family.”

Because they operate so well together, some favorite memories of that “family” time stick out in the cheerleader’s minds.

“My best moment was the time we beat Charleston in 12 places [at competition],” said Showalter.

Not only do they support each other in cheerleading, but cheerleaders also motivate MHS teams to do their best.

“They help pump up the crowd, and that helps us get pumped up,” said Kittell.

The team also has some goals for this year they hope to accomplish, beyond helping MHS teams achieve victory.

“My goal is to make it to state this year,” said Showalter.

Showalter’s goals go hand in hand with Drake’s, for her wishes are to be a better team all around and “improve on everything,” she said.

Kittell said MHS students should be taking cheer more seriously, just as any sport at MHS. “They put in a lot of time and effort year round,” said Kittell.

PHOTOS BY JARET T MARTIN

MHS cheerleaders practice stunts after the school day in the balcony of the gym. Senior Lacey Solomon, freshman Shelby Thomason, sophomore Ariel Enlow, junior Maddie Akers, sophomore Alyssa Hudson.

Title IX legacy changed rights for women in school sports Emma Dlitz, Advertising Manager/Sports Editor

The United States Congress passed an amendment 40 years ago as of June 23, 2012 that gave equal privileges to men and women in the field of education. This amendment assured that discrimination among the sexes would vanish in both the classroom setting and in athletics. This amendment was named Title IX. Not many young people today know about this amendment, but it affects everyone at the collegiate

level and below.

Mattoon High School junior Jaden Patterson said that to her, Title IX means “women’s rights and equality.”

Like Patterson, to many students at Mattoon High School sports are a major part of her everyday life.

“Sports greatly affect my life because they’ve shaped me into the person I am today,” said Patterson.

Not only Patterson has felt the effects sports have had on her, but

“Sports greatly affect my life because they’ve shaped me into the person I am today.”

Jaden Patterson, junior

American history teacher Tessa Prosser has, too.

“I played sports in high school, and this amendment made women’s sports more popular now than they were when I was in high school,” Prosser said.

Title IX has given women and men the privileges that they have by law. For many women today, this means that they are able to participate in sports, unlike 50 years ago. “ [ Ti t l e I X ] m a d e m e n a n d w o m e n ’s s p o r t s m o r e e q u a l

in high school,” Prosser said.

“Women’s sports got the same promotion as men’s did, and women’s sports were granted the same [privileges] that men’s sports were.”

Though this law provides equality, it also aids in the way people’s characters are shaped. “[Without this law], I wouldn’t have the same work ethic or determination that I do today,” said Patterson. “This altered what my life is in comparison to what it could have been.”

Sports 16 Wrestlers lay ground work for season THE MHS MIRROR D E C E M B E R 2012

By Molly Dotson, News Editor/Photo Editor The mat is spread across the floor of the gymnasium, the smell of perspiration is evident and he is more determined than ever to pin his opponent.

Another wrestling season has begun at Mattoon High School, and according to MHS wrestling coach Brett Porter, this sport is educational without the typical classroom setting. “[Wrestling] teaches discipline, how to work towards achieving goals and how to be modest in victory and courageous in defeat,” said Porter.

While this competition is thought to be merely a sport to most, senior Creed Janes believes it is much more. “[I] look at wrestling as more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. It is always on my mind. I think of ways I can improve myself and my goals for the season,” said Janes.

Other wrestlers agree with Janes, including sophomore

Page Designer Emma Diltz

and varsity wrestler Alex Inman, who said this sport is worth the physical anguish at practice because he can show his “dominance” at meets.

“I feel on top of the world when I win.

After working all week, victory at a meet makes it all worth it,” said Inman.

In fact, the MHS team’s first meet against Charleston resulted in a win for Mattoon with an ending score of 66-17.

“It was nice starting the season off at home and having all the people that came out to support us was awesome. I felt we all did well and will continue to do so throughout the season,” said Janes.

Although wrestlers work hard at meets and practice, many do so outside of MHS by exercising and making changes to their diets in order to

maintain weight.

In fact, Janes has lost over 10 pounds in order to be in his desired weight class.

He is not the only wrestler who has lost weight in order to achieve his goal, but a healthy diet is always recommended by the coaches.

“We encourage healthy weight loss by eating right and getting plenty of exercise,” said Porter.

A well-balanced diet and staying fit is essential according to Porter, and another vital aspect about this sport is goal-setting in order to improve.

“I want to help each wrestler achieve his full potential. We set goals, and I remind them of those goals throughout the season,” said Porter.

PHOTOS BY EMMA DILTZ

Left: Junior Nick Polston grapples with a Charleston combatant.

Varsity Wrestling Schedule 12/11 Tolono-Effingham 12/14 Mascoutah Var Tourn 12/15 Mascoutah Var Tourn 1/10 Mt. Zion-Shelbyville 1/12 Mahomet-Seymour Var. 1/17 Charleston-Monticello 1/19 Apollo Conference 1/22 Centennial-Normal 2/02 Individual Regional 2/08 Individual Sectional 2/09 Individual Sectional 2/15 Individual State 2/19 Team Sectional 2/23 State

Home 6:30 p.m.

Away 4 p.m.

Away 8 a.m.

Away 6:30 p.m.

Away 9:30 a.m.

Away 6 p.m.

Away TBA Away 6:30 p.m.

Away TBA Home 4:30 p.m.

Home 2 p.m.

Away TBA Away TBA Away TBA

A Mattoon wrestler works to take down a Charleston opponent. Mattoon defeated Charleston 66-17.

Above: Junior Chris Dyer holds an opponent down for the count. Left: Senior Creed Janes is announced as the winner of his weight class by defeating a Charleston wrestler.

Below: Senior Treighton Gullion shoots in on an opposing competitor.